CPUSA

[The New Manifesto]

What are your feelings on this orgininzation...What have they truly stood for? In this sight and others i felt that many people look down on this party? Why?

[Rawthentic]

Because they have sold out to revolution and are inactive in all except putting forward Democrats.

They are nothing.

[cenv]

Yeah. They aren't really communists anymore -- just a bunch of liberals.

[Janus]

CPUSA (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=69126&hl=CPUSA)
CPUSA debate (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=67052&hl=CPUSA)
CPUSA (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=51266&hl=CPUSA)

[The Advent of Anarchy]

I have an idea.

Create a petition to make the "C"PUSA drop "Communist" from it's name unless it becomes a revolutionary party!

[RNK]

LOL, I started exactly that a few months ago for the Communist Party of Canada... then I got bored with it. I wonder how many people ended up signing it...

[OneBrickOneVoice]

Lol "Party of the United States of America"

[RNK]

Lol, aren't there one of those already?

They should change their name to "Party of Democrat Supporters of The USA"

[RGacky3]

Are they still at all relevent to anything anywhere? Do they do anything?

[Red October]

They're nothing more than the Democratic party's "radical" auxiliary.

[Thunderbird]

I agree with a lot of their positions; especially the idea that the fundamental problem for American internationalists at the moment is stopping the corrosive operations of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Iraq.

Contrast this with various Trotskyist groups in America who waste their members time and resources by running their own candidate for President; which, invariably, fails.

Also of interest in the attitude of American Maoist to this strategy; they'd prefer to encourage people to boycott the election, despite the incredibly real, devastating effects suffered by tens of millions of Iraqis at the moment. Nevermind the fact that Maoist groups in other countries have often participated in elections (Nepal, at various times, Ecuador, etc...)

[manic expression]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 11:47 pm
Contrast this with various Trotskyist groups in America who waste their members time and resources by running their own candidate for President; which, invariably, fails.
You think they haven't figured this out? They probably know they aren't going to win the presidency, but they also know that elections can be vehicles for agitprop.

[RNK]

Originally posted by manic expression+August 27, 2007 12:02 am--> (manic expression @ August 27, 2007 12:02 am)
[email protected] 26, 2007 11:47 pm
Contrast this with various Trotskyist groups in America who waste their members time and resources by running their own candidate for President; which, invariably, fails.
You think they haven't figured this out? They probably know they aren't going to win the presidency, but they also know that elections can be vehicles for agitprop. [/b]
Yeah, a vehicle that hasn't been working since the... wait, ever.

[RGacky3]

Ever hear of a Mr. Eugene Debs? I don't think he ever thought of wining, but man did me make a rukus, so much so they threw him in prison. Mr. Debs, the old Socialist Party and the IWW were the ones that in history were the most successful in bringing the idea of Socialism to the USA, and one of the stratagies thar worked was running Mr. Debs for office.

[bootleg42]

CPUSA are just the Democrats new *****. They are revisionists.

[Axel1917]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 12:04 am
Lol, aren't there one of those already?

They should change their name to "Party of Democrat Supporters of The USA"
They should just fuse with the Democrats instead. There really aren't any differences between them. I think they publish the collected works of Marx and Engels just to make a few bucks, and I have noticed that for all their resources, they have committed the crime of not republishing Lenin's collected works; the entire 45 volume (not even complete, as the non-complete Russian edition runs into 55 volumes.) set is quite hard to find, and it can fetch a hefty price tag. I feel lucky for being able to get the entire 47 volume English set (45 volumes the works, other two volumes indexes) printed by the USSR's publishing house (Progress Publishers) for around US $420.00. They only publish a few selections from Lenin. I will bet that they take the few bits of Lenin they like and throw out the rest, and therefore they turn Leninism into a caricature. You either have to often fork out around twice what I paid for a complete set or rely on marxists.org for the bulk of the Lenin's Collected Works to read online.

[RNK]

Originally posted by Axel1917+August 27, 2007 03:52 am--> (Axel1917 @ August 27, 2007 03:52 am)
[email protected] 26, 2007 12:04 am
Lol, aren't there one of those already?

They should change their name to "Party of Democrat Supporters of The USA"
They should just fuse with the Democrats instead. There really aren't any differences between them. I think they publish the collected works of Marx and Engels just to make a few bucks, and I have noticed that for all their resources, they have committed the crime of not republishing Lenin's collected works; the entire 45 volume (not even complete, as the non-complete Russian edition runs into 55 volumes.) set is quite hard to find, and it can fetch a hefty price tag. I feel lucky for being able to get the entire 47 volume English set (45 volumes the works, other two volumes indexes) printed by the USSR's publishing house (Progress Publishers) for around US $420.00. They only publish a few selections from Lenin. I will bet that they take the few bits of Lenin they like and throw out the rest, and therefore they turn Leninism into a caricature. You either have to often fork out around twice what I paid for a complete set or rely on marxists.org for the bulk of the Lenin's Collected Works to read online. [/b]
It would be nice to see a really large non-profit effort to get literature printed. If organizations can manage to print tens of thousands of newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets and flyers, and do this month after month, I don't see why it would be impossible to slowly build up a supply.

In any case, I agree about the CPUSA. It, like the Socialist Party USA, is nothing more than the Democrat's patsy. I can't believe that it even has a support base; the fact that even 10 people in all of the US would support it is utterly perplexing. Organizations like this rely solely on riding the wave of past historical prominance. We really need to shove these guys to the trash can of history, where they belong.

[A Suvorov]

I *applied* for membership in the CPUSA many years ago; I was expecting at least a phone call or even a form letter from some sort of local representative or club chairman. Instead, I recieved a nice package of leaflets and flyers, with a over-xeroxed 'welcome letter', and a membership card to fill out.

Needless to say, I was rather non-plussed but decided anyway to go ahead and *call* myself a Party member even in the absence of any leadership to 'report' to.

So, here I am a few years later after having tried a number of times to get in any sort of regular contact with anyone at the national level, all to no avail. The most contact I had in a month? They sent me- quite without my ordering it- a bundle of PWW's to sell! And guess what? They expected me to pay for it when I never even ordered it!

In the end, I came to the rather sad conclusion that the CPUSA is at best a broken organization, currently not much better than a run-of-the-mill democrat/socialist outfit- and not a very good one, at that. I live in Alabama, in what used to be a regular hotbed of 'red' activity way back when; now it's hard to even FIND anyone with other than a Rep or Dem outlook- very few real 'leftists' left down here, and certianly not of the quality we had in the 'old days'.

Would I *like* to see the CPUSA regain it's former stature and become a political/social force to be reckoned with? Of course I would! Would I *like* to at least have some sort of real membership process and/or vetting procedure for prospective members? Of course I would! Would I *like* to be able to unfurl my red flag proudly in the presence of others of a like mind, in enough numbers to not be worried about being targeted? Of course I would! Do I see the present-day CPUSA doing ANY of this? No, not by a long shot. Do we need a new CP? I most definitely say YES.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

If organizations can manage to print tens of thousands of newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets and flyers, and do this month after month, I don't see why it would be impossible to slowly build up a supply.

It wouldn't be impossible at all. The truth is that a lot of these groups don't want their members reading some things by Lenin, and especially not a lot of the things written by Marx and Engels.

I'll let you figure out why that is.

[bootleg42]

I live in inner city NYC and I'd love to actually start up a new communist party but I don't plan on staying in the U.S. for long. I want to go back to my latin american countries where people are actually fighting for change.

Sad, if there was a real wanting for real change in the U.S., I would be crazy enough to stay and start a new party or overtake the currently existing party in some way.

[Rawthentic]

Are you joking? There are thousands of people fighting for change.

Either you are not in NYC, or you are just blind.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Yeah, things are stirring here.

There were just two hundreds-strong rallies for the Jena 6 here, the transit strike less than 2 years back, etc.

There are also several parties and organizations here.

Communists don't abstain from political work when there aren't social uprisings occurring, btw.

Like Lenin said, "It is not difficult to be a revolutionary when revolution has already broken out and is at its height, when everybody is joining the revolution just because they are carried away, because it is the fashion, and sometimes even out of careerist motives. After its victory, the proletariat has to make most strenuous efforts, to suffer the pains of martyrdom, one might say, to "liberate" itself from such pseudo revolutionaries. It is far more difficult - and of far greater value - to be a revolutionary when the conditions for direct, open, really mass and really revolutionary struggle do not yet exist, to be able to champion the interests of the revolution (by propaganda, agitation and organization) in non-revolutionary bodies and often in downright reactionary bodies, in a non-revolutionary situation among masses who are incapable of immediately appreciating the need for revolutionary methods of action. To be able to find, to probe for, to correctly determine the specific path or the particular turn of events that will lead the masses to the real, last, decisive, and great revolutionary struggle - such is the task of Communists in Western Europe and America today."

[bootleg42]

There were just two hundreds-strong rallies for the Jena 6 here, the transit strike less than 2 years back, etc.


I saw some of the rallies for the Jena 6. Nothing strong and nothing compared to what I've seen in Latin America (Bolivia and Venezuela to be exact).

And I remember the transit strike. I did go talk to some of the workers and I even handed out some socialist propaganda to them and many of them told me to "get lost". Also the reactions from the public were negative as many people I talked to did not support the strike though I think it was more because of there being no public transportation and it was cold those days (winter). I walked long distance to do my things but I didn't mind.

Point is in terms of revolutionary movement, this country is WAY behind. I just feel that going back, my knowledge would be better used by the people (since I already got hookups).


Like Lenin said, "It is not difficult to be a revolutionary when revolution has already broken out and is at its height, when everybody is joining the revolution just because they are carried away, because it is the fashion, and sometimes even out of careerist motives. After its victory, the proletariat has to make most strenuous efforts, to suffer the pains of martyrdom, one might say, to "liberate" itself from such pseudo revolutionaries. It is far more difficult - and of far greater value - to be a revolutionary when the conditions for direct, open, really mass and really revolutionary struggle do not yet exist, to be able to champion the interests of the revolution (by propaganda, agitation and organization) in non-revolutionary bodies and often in downright reactionary bodies, in a non-revolutionary situation among masses who are incapable of immediately appreciating the need for revolutionary methods of action. To be able to find, to probe for, to correctly determine the specific path or the particular turn of events that will lead the masses to the real, last, decisive, and great revolutionary struggle - such is the task of Communists in Western Europe and America today."

Although thats ^^^^ an inspiring quote there. :hammer:

[Red October]

I had a very brief phase where I supported CPUSA simply because I thought they were the dominant communist organization in America. Though I could never really find any way to get active in it or what they did beside maintain a website and some PO boxes in major cities. But that was in 8th grade, so I'm over that. CPUSA is a waste of time.

[blackstone]

Originally posted by Red [email protected] 25, 2007 06:54 pm
I had a very brief phase where I supported CPUSA simply because I thought they were the dominant communist organization in America. Though I could never really find any way to get active in it or what they did beside maintain a website and some PO boxes in major cities. But that was in 8th grade, so I'm over that. CPUSA is a waste of time.
You was a paying member of CPUSA in 8th grade?! :wacko:

[Red October]

Originally posted by blackstone+September 25, 2007 02:07 pm--> (blackstone @ September 25, 2007 02:07 pm)
Red [email protected] 25, 2007 06:54 pm
I had a very brief phase where I supported CPUSA simply because I thought they were the dominant communist organization in America. Though I could never really find any way to get active in it or what they did beside maintain a website and some PO boxes in major cities. But that was in 8th grade, so I'm over that. CPUSA is a waste of time.
You was a paying member of CPUSA in 8th grade?! :wacko: [/b]
No, I was never a member. Though I did consider joining and paying dues, I never got to that point and I'm glad I didn't.

[The Advent of Anarchy]

Originally posted by A [email protected] 22, 2007 01:18 am
I *applied* for membership in the CPUSA many years ago; I was expecting at least a phone call or even a form letter from some sort of local representative or club chairman. Instead, I recieved a nice package of leaflets and flyers, with a over-xeroxed 'welcome letter', and a membership card to fill out.

Needless to say, I was rather non-plussed but decided anyway to go ahead and *call* myself a Party member even in the absence of any leadership to 'report' to.

So, here I am a few years later after having tried a number of times to get in any sort of regular contact with anyone at the national level, all to no avail. The most contact I had in a month? They sent me- quite without my ordering it- a bundle of PWW's to sell! And guess what? They expected me to pay for it when I never even ordered it!

In the end, I came to the rather sad conclusion that the CPUSA is at best a broken organization, currently not much better than a run-of-the-mill democrat/socialist outfit- and not a very good one, at that. I live in Alabama, in what used to be a regular hotbed of 'red' activity way back when; now it's hard to even FIND anyone with other than a Rep or Dem outlook- very few real 'leftists' left down here, and certianly not of the quality we had in the 'old days'.

Would I *like* to see the CPUSA regain it's former stature and become a political/social force to be reckoned with? Of course I would! Would I *like* to at least have some sort of real membership process and/or vetting procedure for prospective members? Of course I would! Would I *like* to be able to unfurl my red flag proudly in the presence of others of a like mind, in enough numbers to not be worried about being targeted? Of course I would! Do I see the present-day CPUSA doing ANY of this? No, not by a long shot. Do we need a new CP? I most definitely say YES.
May I have a photo of these materials?

I'm busy trying to slowly get the CPUSA into revolutionary politics. Help, somebody.

[RNK]

It would be much, much more effective to support one of the many revolutionary organizations whose activity surpasses the CPUSA in both quantity and quality.

They're dead. Get over it. Time for new leadership. Stop hanging on to personality cults of dead vanguard parties. ;)

[Faux Real]

They probably keep track of 'reds' and hand over their membership lists to the FBI/CIA and stuff just in case the federal government gets into uber-domestic-repressive mode.

A shame the party that helped mobilize so many workers during the great depression and during WW2 to gain many for the disenfranchised became this failure of an organization.

[Springmeester]

Originally posted by MilitantVL+October 07, 2007 03:31 pm--> (MilitantVL @ October 07, 2007 03:31 pm)
A [email protected] 22, 2007 01:18 am
I *applied* for membership in the CPUSA many years ago; I was expecting at least a phone call or even a form letter from some sort of local representative or club chairman. Instead, I recieved a nice package of leaflets and flyers, with a over-xeroxed 'welcome letter', and a membership card to fill out.

Needless to say, I was rather non-plussed but decided anyway to go ahead and *call* myself a Party member even in the absence of any leadership to 'report' to.

So, here I am a few years later after having tried a number of times to get in any sort of regular contact with anyone at the national level, all to no avail. The most contact I had in a month? They sent me- quite without my ordering it- a bundle of PWW's to sell! And guess what? They expected me to pay for it when I never even ordered it!

In the end, I came to the rather sad conclusion that the CPUSA is at best a broken organization, currently not much better than a run-of-the-mill democrat/socialist outfit- and not a very good one, at that. I live in Alabama, in what used to be a regular hotbed of 'red' activity way back when; now it's hard to even FIND anyone with other than a Rep or Dem outlook- very few real 'leftists' left down here, and certianly not of the quality we had in the 'old days'.

Would I *like* to see the CPUSA regain it's former stature and become a political/social force to be reckoned with? Of course I would! Would I *like* to at least have some sort of real membership process and/or vetting procedure for prospective members? Of course I would! Would I *like* to be able to unfurl my red flag proudly in the presence of others of a like mind, in enough numbers to not be worried about being targeted? Of course I would! Do I see the present-day CPUSA doing ANY of this? No, not by a long shot. Do we need a new CP? I most definitely say YES.
May I have a photo of these materials?

I'm busy trying to slowly get the CPUSA into revolutionary politics. Help, somebody. [/b]
Comrade, why waste your time on 'changing' a party which has abandoned every revolutionary theory? I think it would be better to look for a party which is revolutionary in theory and action and join that. That way you can focus your energy on real issues like class-struggle, anti-imperialism, anti-fascism, 3rd world solidarity... those are far more important. Check out all the ML party's and pick the one that comes closest yo your own ideals.

[Red Menace]

I am currently a member. I met the chairman Sam Webb a few weeks ago. There seem to be quite a few things wrong with that party. The CPUSA constantly insists on supporting the democrats. The topic of Gus Hall came up during our group discussion with Webb, and he seemed to dismiss it. He did not let the topic of Hall come up again. I do not know why, but it seems he is trying to cover up their history.

I'm only really a member because it is the only communist, much less radical group in my town. I don't know, i might quit